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![Confetti.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![Confetti.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Confetti_e2e878a534.svg)Case studies\\\\n\\\\n    Discover who uses Strapi](/user-stories)\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![Code.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![Code.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Code_cf95dc4dae.svg)Open Source\\\\n\\\\n    Contribute & collaborate on GitHub](https://github.com/strapi/strapi)\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![ChatsCircle.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![ChatsCircle.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Chats_Circle_3df902edc6.svg)Forum\\\\n\\\\n    Discuss, ask questions and find answers](https://forum.strapi.io/)\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![ChatsCircle.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![ChatsCircle.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Chats_Circle_3df902edc6.svg)Discord\\\\n\\\\n    Discuss, ask question and find answers](https://discord.strapi.io/)\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![Play.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![Play.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Play_ec33946179.svg)Video Tutorials\\\\n\\\\n    Discuss, ask question and find answers](https://www.youtube.com/strapi)\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![Calendar.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![Calendar.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Calendar_7e38ad5e4c.svg)Events\\\\n\\\\n    Upcoming and On-demand Events](/events)\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![Vector (6).svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![Vector (6).svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Vector_6_e0cb316acc.svg)Strapi Goodies\\\\n\\\\n    Discover the latest Strapi goodies](https://shop.strapi.io/en)\\\\n* [Docs](https://docs.strapi.io/)\\\\n* [Pricing](/pricing-self-hosted)\\\\n* [Cloud](https://cloud.strapi.io/)\\\\n\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![Cloud.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![Cloud.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Cloud_737d463253.svg)Discover Strapi Cloud\\\\n\\\\n    PaaS hosting for Strapi projects](/cloud)\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![SignIn.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![SignIn.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Sign_In_2d9d2c57fb.svg)Login to Strapi Cloud\\\\n\\\\n    Login or Sign up for Strapi Cloud.](https://cloud.strapi.io/login)\\\\n  + [![](data:image/svg+xml...) ![Book.svg](data:image/gif;base64...) ![Book.svg](https://delicate-dawn-ac25646e6d.media.strapiapp.com/Book_c70e3d2d35.svg)Strapi Cloud Docs\\\\n\\\\n    Strapi Cloud hosting technical documentation](https://docs.strapi.io/cloud/intro)\\\\n\\\\n## Looking for our logo ?\\\\n\\\\n ![strapi-logo-figma-lines.png]()\\\\n\\\\n[Download Logo Pack](https://www.strapi.io/hubfs/New%20logos/Strapi%20logo%20kit.zip)\\\\n\\\\n[See more Strapi assets](https://handbook.strapi.io/strapi-brand-book-2022)\\\\n\\\\n* [Latest articles](/blog)\\\\n* [Company](/blog/categories/company)\\\\n* [Engineering](/blog/categories/engineering)\\\\n* [Tutorials](/blog/categories/tutorials?type=v4)\\\\n* [Ecosystem](/blog/categories/ecosystem)\\\\n\\\\nSubscribe ![Newsletter Icon](https://strapi.io/_next/static/images/aae512c46e967fa8a449146beb2b888b.svg)\\\\n\\\\n* Last updated: August 15, 2025 (Strapi 5 era)\\\\n* 14 min read\\\\n\\\\n# Should You Choose a Flat-File CMS for Your Next Project?\\\\n\\\\n[Content Workflow](/blog/tag/content-workflow)[Content Delivery](/blog/tag/content-delivery)\\\\n\\\\n![T02DG925U-U039QKS8JVC-87b1021e7476-192.jpeg]()\\\\n\\\\n[Paul Bratslavsky](/user/paul-bratslavsky)\\\\n\\\\nAugust 6, 2025\\\\n\\\\n [![tweet selection](https://strapi.io/_next/static/images/44ead644c7e54312afbe05acfcde038c.svg)](https://strapi.io/)\\\\n\\\\n ![Should You Choose a Flat-File CMS for Your Next Project_.png]()\\\\n\\\\nIf database problems crash your website during traffic spikes or you\\\'re frustrated with complex MySQL setups and endless plugin updates, a flat-file CMS might be your solution.\\\\n\\\\nUnlike traditional systems, flat-file content management systems eliminate the entire database layer\\\\u2014storing everything as simple Markdown and YAML files. This architectural shift slashes server overhead, dramatically improves performance, and simplifies deployments to a single `git push`.\\\\n\\\\nThis guide helps you determine if flat-file is right for your project by examining performance benefits, comparing approaches across different use cases, and identifying the hard limitations you\\\'ll encounter as you scale.\\\\n\\\\n**In Brief:**\\\\n\\\\n* Flat-file CMSs store content in Markdown and YAML files instead of [databases](https://docs.strapi.io/cms/configurations/database), delivering faster load times and simpler deployments without SQL overhead or complex server setup\\\\n* These systems excel for small sites, solo developers, and [Git-based workflows](https://strapi.io/blog/getting-started-with-strapi-workflows-using-git) but struggle with scalability, team collaboration, and dynamic features as projects grow\\\\n* [Traditional CMSs](https://strapi.io/blog/traditional-vs-headless-cms-a-comparison) offer rich editing interfaces and plugin ecosystems but require database maintenance, while headless systems provide API flexibility for omnichannel content delivery\\\\n* Choose flat-file for speed and simplicity, traditional for non-technical teams and complex features, or headless when content needs to reach multiple platforms and scale globally\\\\n\\\\n## **What Is a Flat-File CMS?**\\\\n\\\\nA flat-file CMS stores content in plain text files instead of databases. Rather than querying MySQL or PostgreSQL, it reads pages, settings, and metadata directly from Markdown, YAML, JSON, or `.txt` files.\\\\n\\\\nWithout database overhead, servers process requests faster and consume fewer resources\\\\u2014particularly on shared hosting environments.\\\\n\\\\nThe [architecture](https://strapi.io/blog/strapi-architecture) is refreshingly straightforward: drop the codebase into your web root, ensure your runtime is available, and you\\\'re running.\\\\n\\\\nNo database creation, no credential management. Deployment is a simple `git clone` or FTP upload, and version control works naturally\\\\u2014your commit history becomes your content history.\\\\n\\\\nWhen requests arrive, the engine reads the matching file, merges it with templates, and renders HTML\\\\u2014either on-demand or pre-built at deploy time. Leading implementations include Grav, Kirby, Pico, Jekyll, and Bludit, each with unique strengths from performance to usability.\\\\n\\\\nServer requirements remain minimal: basic PHP or Node.js hosting and file-system access. For speed, simplicity, and Git-trackable workflows, file-based CMSs deliver without database complexity.\\\\n\\\\n## **How a Flat-File CMS Compares to Other Systems**\\\\n\\\\nFile-based tools solve different problems than database-driven CMSs and headless solutions. Understanding these trade-offs prevents mid-project pivots when requirements shift.\\\\n\\\\n| Feature | Flat-File CMS | Traditional CMS | Headless CMS |\\\\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\\\\n| **Best For** | Small to medium sites with infrequent updates | Content-rich sites with non-technical editors | Multi-channel content delivery |\\\\n| **Performance** | High for small sites | Moderate (database overhead) | High (with proper caching) |\\\\n| **Deployment** | Simple file copying or Git push | Database migrations, complex updates | API endpoints with separate frontends |\\\\n| **Technical Requirements** | Basic hosting with file system access | Database server, regular maintenance | API infrastructure, frontend frameworks |\\\\n| **Content Editing** | Text editors, minimal admin interfaces | Rich WYSIWYG editors | Structured content interfaces |\\\\n| **Collaboration** | Git-based workflows | Built-in user roles and permissions | Advanced workflows with API access |\\\\n| **Scalability** | Limited (degrades with file count) | Moderate (database scaling needed) | High (decoupled architecture) |\\\\n| **Security** | No SQL injection risks | Database vulnerabilities | API security considerations |\\\\n| **Plugin Ecosystem** | Limited | Extensive | Growing |\\\\n| **Developer Experience** | Simple, direct file access | Template systems with database queries | API-first development |\\\\n| **Non-Tech User Experience** | Limited, technical | User-friendly | Moderately technical |\\\\n\\\\n### **Flat-File vs Traditional Database CMS**\\\\n\\\\nWhile file-based CMSs read content directly from disk, traditional platforms like WordPress or Drupal store that data in relational databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.\\\\n\\\\nWithout SQL queries, file-based sites load faster under light to moderate traffic\\\\u2014eliminating database calls removes a major bottleneck and cuts server resource usage dramatically.\\\\n\\\\nDeploying a file-based site means uploading a folder or committing to Git. Database CMSs demand credentials, migrations, and routine engine updates\\\\u2014tasks that consume sprint budget. Backups follow the same pattern: copying a directory versus exporting and importing SQL dumps.\\\\n\\\\nSecurity attacks shrink without databases. SQL injection disappears entirely, reducing your attack surface. Maintenance stays light: patch core files, not webs of plugins and database schemas.\\\\n\\\\nThe trade-off hits at scale and feature depth. Databases excel at indexing thousands of records, handling concurrent writes, and powering extensions like e-commerce or complex [user permissions](https://docs.strapi.io/cms/features/users-permissions).\\\\n\\\\nFile-based systems struggle when directory trees reach thousands of files or when multiple editors need granular roles.\\\\n\\\\n### **Flat-File vs Headless CMS**\\\\n\\\\n[Headless platforms](https://strapi.io/blog/headless-cms-for-ecommerce) separate content from presentation: content lives in a backend that exposes REST or GraphQL APIs, and a...\n The full message content is stored at /workspace/summarized_conversations/original_conversation_1761738827_7413.txt'}